The community celebrated the New Canaan YMCA’s 60th birthday on Saturday, May 31 with a festive party at the Y featuring a variety of family activities including obstacle courses, pool games, water safety tips, arts and crafts, and a dunk tank where guests were able to dunk their favorite Y coaches.

Halfway through the party, attendees gathered around the Y’s special birthday cake to sing “Happy Birthday,” which was led by Board President, Peter Skaperdas. Skaperdas was accompanied by a large group of Y kids who had the special task of blowing out the candles.

After the birthday candles were blown out, the focus transitioned from celebrating the Y’s past 60 years to the next 60 years. Building renderings were unveiled and Skaperdas announced that thanks to early contributions made by Y supporters, the Y has raised 60% of the $18 million fundraising goal needed to renovate the building.

The Y’s planned renovation, which received unanimous approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission in April, calls for renovating the antiquated areas of the facility in order to create a more accessible and contemporary resource for families and individuals within our community.

Details of the renovation include:
• New Family Recreational Pool: An exciting facility for families to enjoy all year long, as well as a more accommodating facility for aquatic therapy, swim lessons, and special needs aquatics.
• New Competition Pool: A modern venue to better support the Y’s three aquatics teams, the New Canaan High School swim teams, and adult lap swimmers.
• Completely Renovated Locker Rooms: Better equipped with towel service, sauna, steam room, and sitting area in the adult locker rooms, and totally new family, boys and girls locker rooms.
• Renovated Full Gym: Doubling the size of available gym space will increase availability and options for youth/adult recreational sports and open family activity, better serve our community sports organizations, and provide teens with a place for healthy and safe after-school activity.
• New Family Activity Center: A fun space for families to enjoy and to better accommodate our youth with special needs, in addition to housing our Bouncing Bears youth gymnastics programs.
• Renovated Wellness Areas: Additional and more flexible fitness space to better address the changing wellness needs of our community, including the wellness interests of teens and active older adults.

During his announcement, Skaperdas stated, “We believe that a stronger Y means a stronger a community, and that we can achieve both these goals through our renovation. In order to make this vision a reality, we’ll need strong community support.”

Skaperdas then thanked and named the Y’s early donors and renovation fundraising committee. He added, “We’re over half way to our fundraising goal, and we’ll be seeking the support of our community and Y members to raise the remainder. Whether you are a Y member who stops by every day, or have watched your kids grow through a Y program, or enjoy bringing your family to special events, or have counted on the Y for a hot shower following a storm, or simply believe in supporting healthy living and youth development, we invite you to join us in making our vision a reality.”